Licks Cycles: Yamaha V-Max “Musashi”

Samurai-inspired V-Max from Shoogly Shed x 78 Outlaw…

When Yamaha unleashed the mighty V-Max in 1985, a legend was born. The 145-hp V4 was a fire-breather of the primary order, a Mad Max muscle bike designed to out-accelerate anything on two wheels.

“The aim was for V-Max to be the quickest and quickest manufacturing bike ever over a quarter-mile. This required an engine with an output of about 140 horsepower. Nonetheless, Yamaha’s most potent engine again then – which was the V4 powering its Enterprise touring bike – might solely produce 90 horsepower.” –Scorching Vehicles

One of many secrets and techniques to reaching the required horsepower quantity was a particular consumption setup dubbed V-Increase:

“When rpm reaches 6500, a valve in a crossover manifold between the cylinders in every financial institution opens, permitting every cylinder to attract by two carbs. It’s one thing just like the four-barrel-carb association utilized in automobiles.” –Cruiser

Whereas the dealing with and braking had been nothing to put in writing house about, the unique V-Max was all about straight-line acceleration, and right here it reigned supreme. Riders couldn’t get sufficient of the seemingly inexhaustible energy on demand.

“What units the Max’s engine other than different highly effective motors is that it has energy in all places. Off the underside, it’s torquier than a Honda Gold Wing. On high, it hits more durable than a Kawasaki 900 Ninja. And from backside to high, the powerband is broader than that of a BMW K100.” –Cycle World

Then there was the driving sensation. Certain, some superbikes would possibly speed up quicker, however they lay the rider down into the bike to soak up the gravitational forces. The V-Max, however, retains the rider up within the wind to actually really feel the acceleration:

“The upright driving posture of the V-Max means you are feeling all of the acceleration ripping at your arms. You might be grateful for that huge backstop within the saddle, which holds you in place because the engine bellows like a High Gas automotive because it tears by first gear.” –Cruiser

Enter our new buddy Euan Ryan of Shoogly Shed Motors, a Scotsman whose spouse purchased him a Yamaha XS250 as a pandemic mission…and issues escalated from there! Euan is now on his fifth full-blown {custom} construct, and the unique 6×4′ Shoogly Shed has since been supplanted with a full workshop.

The V-Max you see right here was a fee and collaboration mission with Jon Beckett of 78 Outlaw Creations, who needed to include influences from Japanese samurai tradition and Neo-Tokyo fashion, as depicted in movies like Akira. For the donor, Euan and Jon eschewed the lowly 95-bhp UK-spec V-Max (sans V-Increase) for a full-power US import donor — good males!

As typically occurs, the mission swelled from just a few customizations to a full-on construct, with “no stone unturned.” Highlights embrace a braced body, braced and modified swingarm, bespoke Taylor Made Wheel with 200mm rear tire, XJR1300 forks with dual-disc Brembo brakes, totally serviced engine with Barnett clutch and titanium {hardware}, Black Widow exhaust, NWT X21 Plus electronics, and a full suite of hand-fabricated bits, together with a trick flip-up rear cowl.

Tony The Engraver lent his artwork to the aspect scoops, Gordon at Highway Rage Graphics laid down the paint, and Tom Hurley upholstered the seat. Named after the well-known samurai Miyamoto Musashi, creator of The E book of 5 Rings, this V-Max now boasts the craftsmanship and lightning-quickness of a samurai sword:

“Jon describes driving Musashi as endlessly enjoyable, laughably highly effective, and quicker than a katana-wielding Samurai. The one factor this bike can’t cross is a gasoline station…!”

Beneath, we speak to Euan for the total story on the construct, together with extra photographs from the gifted JB Moments Images — Jon’s spouse!

V-Max Customized: Builder Interview

• Please inform us a bit about your self, your historical past with bikes, and your workshop.

So I began customising bikes as quickly I used to be studying to experience them! I’ve acquired a protracted childhood historical past of fettling and customising every little thing from bicycles and skateboards to go-karts and pogo-sticks.

My first correct {custom} bike construct was throughout Lockdown 2020 when my spouse purchased me a scrap 1980 Yamaha XS250 to assist cross the time. I nonetheless personal it and experience it quite a bit! I’ve since stripped and rebuilt it to repair just a few points I used to be by no means proud of.

Since then, I’ve constructed approaching for 5 extra totally {custom} bikes. I began out in a 6×4 ft shed and two years in the past moved home and constructed a way more spacious workshop. The Shoogly Shed MKII has allowed me to broaden my expertise and get machines like my Nineteen Forties lathe to essentially improve my construct potential.

• What’s the make, mannequin, and 12 months of the bike?

This bike began out as a principally inventory 1st Gen US Import 1985 Yamaha V-Max 1200 in improbable situation – it was an enormous dedication to strip it aside!

• Why was this bike constructed?

This bike was a fee and collaboration mission with Jon Beckett from 78 Outlaw Creations. Jon needed a {custom} bike constructed that he might enter on the design however depart the fabrication and construct course of to me. We began out contemplating only a few customisations after which because the mission grew, we left no stone unturned and ended up customising most likely >90% of the bike!

• What was the design idea and what influenced the construct?

The V-Max design idea was Neo-Tokyo and Japanese Samurai styling. Jon is a giant fan of this design fashion however needed so as to add his personal distinctive aptitude.

• What {custom} work was executed to the bike?

I began out by shortening the back-end and fabricating a flip-cowl to accommodate the gas cap for the underseat tank. We fitted a {custom} Monza-style gas cap and put in a contemporary float gas guage.

The swingarm was modified and braced to just accept a totally {custom} rear wheel by Steve from Taylor Made Wheels. This allowed the improve to a meaty 200mm tyre. Suspension upgraded to Mupo totally adjustable rear shocks and a Yamaha R1 entrance fork with {custom} billet yokes and extenders.

We fitted body braces and engine hardmounts to enhance total experience high quality. I fabricated {custom} aspect panels with mesh inserts. I modified the faux tank panel with a shroud for a Motoscope Professional.

Entrance wheel is from a Yamaha XJR1300 with matching twin Brembo entrance discs and pads, plus a billet adapter to run the identical disc and caliper set-up on the rear.

I turned {custom} knurled footpegs, engine sliders and foot controls. Tail tidy and plate hanger was fabricated from scratch and a fully-custom rear “infinity” gentle grew to become a labour of affection however the end result was value it!

The exhaust system is a full Black-Widow system with carbon finish cans and all completed in black ceramic coating. The engine acquired a full service, upgraded Barnett clutch, new starter clutch and stator windings, full paint job, powdercoated valve covers, and titanium fixings throughout to complete it off.

The bike is working a full NWT X21 Plus electrical system with momentary button controls. The actual stand-out ending touches are the totally {custom} engraved side-scoops by Tony The Engraver, the unbelievable paint job by Highway Rage Graphics, and the {custom} seat upholstered by Tom Hurley on a home made metal seat pan made on my own.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

The bike is known as “Musashi” after the legendary Japanese Samurai warrior.

• Any thought of horsepower or weight numbers?

The bike hasn’t been dyno examined or weighed, however given the upgrades, we reckon it has undoubtedly shed just a few kilos and Jon assures me it pulls like a freight practice!

• Are you able to inform us what it’s wish to experience?

Jon describes driving Musashi as endlessly enjoyable, laughably highly effective, and quicker than a katana-wielding Samurai. The one factor this bike can’t cross is a gasoline station…!

• Was there something executed throughout this construct that you’re significantly happy with?

As the primary builder of this bike, it’s laborious to single out one specific function or fabrication job. I actually can’t emphasize what number of little and main jobs add as much as the bike you see. So many particulars are simply misplaced on first inspection!

If I had been to attract anybody’s consideration to 1 specific a part of the bike it will most likely should be the flip-cowl and rear gentle. I bent and formed the cowl by hand, created L-hinges on the lathe, and welded them collectively. Hand-shaped the catch, utilising the short launch mechanism unique to the bike, and made positive it flips easy as butter. The infinity gentle was a design idea Jon preferred and he tasked me with the job of constructing it come to life. Handmade alloy housing, two strips of pink LEDs, reflective mirrored acrylic, plus a double layer of laser-cut pink and smoked lens acrylics. The tip end result, tucked neatly underneath the cowl, makes the entire cowl meeting most likely my proudest achievement on the construct.